A toxicologic and dermatologic review of
hexadecanolide when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.
Hexadecanolide is a member of the fragrance structural group macrocyclic
lactone and
lactide derivatives. The fragrance ingredient described herein is one of 12 structurally diverse C14, C15, and C16 compounds that include (7) saturated mono-and (2) saturated di-
ester lactones and (3) unsaturated
lactones. For the latter, the double bond is not adjacent to (in conjugation with) the
ester group. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to this individual fragrance ingredient and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Available data for
hexadecanolide were evaluated, then summarized, and includes: physical properties; acute toxicity; skin irritation; mucous membrane (eye) irritation; skin sensitization;
phototoxicity; and genotoxicity data. A safety assessment of the macrocyclic
lactone and
lactide derivatives will be published simultaneously with this document. Please refer to Belsito et al. (2011) for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all macrocyclic
lactone and
lactide derivatives in fragrances. Belsito, D., Bickers, D., Bruze, M., Calow, P., Dagli, M., Fryer, A.D., Greim, H., Hanifin, J.H., Miyachi, Y., Saurat, J.H., Sipes, I.G., 2011. A Toxicologic and Dermatologic Assessment of Macrocylic
Lactones and
Lactide Derivatives When Used as Fragrance Ingredients.